DALLAS, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points and Antoine Walker added 17, 12 rebounds and seven assists Thursday night as Dallas cruised past Houston, 97-86.
It was the Mavericks' ninth win over the Rockets in their last 11 meetings.
Steve Nash chipped in 16 points, Michael Finley had 14 and Antawn Jamison 13 for Dallas, which has won six of its last eight overall.
Jimmy Jackson scored 23 points against his former team, Steve Francis had 15 and Yao Ming and Kelvin Cato 12 apiece for the Rockets. They failed in a bid for their first 6-1 start since opening the 1996-97 season at 15-1.
The game was tied at 53-53 before Finley made a jumper to put Dallas ahead for good with 9:21 left in the third quarter. The basket sparked a 26-10 run over the next 7 1/2 minutes.
